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TessaGA

Georgia

MH
Posts:2387

11/20/2008 2:01 PM
There is a kennel/training facility near where I live, run by someone who has been my dog trainer off and on through the years since 1990. I always liked her, old school but open to new methods of training, very in tune to which dog needs what and at what age etc. This is the gundog training she offers. What do you think? www.pacesettertrainingkennel.com/gundog_training.htm

To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]

pixie bee

MH
Posts:4448

11/21/2008 8:35 AM
I train much like a retriever trainer does. Pointing breeds need a little bit of a different approach,tho. As long as she (they) are aware of the differences between the different hunting styles you will probably have spent your money well. For example, retrievers are bred to handle. pointers are bred to search/hunt. Pointing breeds are much more controlled by their nose. A pointing breed will never be the specialist a retriever breed is. As a whole, I think retreiver breeds are much better at marking.Also, retreiver trainers teach the dog a solid,square,remote sit.All the training is based on this. You may want to teach whoa instead or first. Most retriever trainers follow either Carr,Graham or Lardy. Maybe they have their own? I would like to know which methods they use,just curiosity. You know, you could always buy the DVDs and do it yourself. Collar conditioning is a big part of retriever training and is covered in the DVDs. It's a lot of fun. This weekend I am looking so foward to taking Haiko out and playing Baseball with him and other marking/handling/retrieving games. Francine

"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle

TessaGA

Georgia

MH
Posts:2387

11/21/2008 9:21 AM
Are you talking about the Perfect Start/Perfect Finish dvds? Anyone of these? www.gundogsupply.com/poindogvid.html I am not sure if I will pursue that route (via Pacesetter). I may just meet with them, either via a seminar or private lesson, and see how they feel about it. The trainer is very straight-forward so I am sure she would let me know if their training camps are for pointers. I will likely hook up with the local NAVDHA chapter (1 hour away) or GSP Atlanta first. Would you advise getting her NA tested first?

To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]

pixie bee

MH
Posts:4448

11/21/2008 10:59 AM
I wasn't sure if you wanted to do hunting with her and thought you were interested more in the handling aspect of training and owning a dog. A dog that handles is great to have around. Pointing breeds don't really handle. It's more like they are guided. So, I had in mind a retriever DVD. Preparing for the NA test may require exposure or down right training. It depends on the natural abilities of the dog. Most have trouble with the tracking portion. For several reasons. Some simply over-train, some dogs have difficulty concentrating and some dogs just have no idea. The tracks are usually laid one over the other. This can be confusing.A dog will often follow a previous track. One way to get over this, but not a sure bet, is to ask that the dog see the bird first. This can make a dog kick into high prey drive tho and be counter productive. I find it always helps if a dog likes to track naturally. So, get out some food and start dropping it a few paces apart and set you dog to it. Graduate to a live bird. Tie a 10' string to the bird,remove the flight feathers and let it go. It's okay to chase it. IMO. The dog is not being judged on nose.It doesn't matter if the head is up or stuck to the ground. What matters is that the dog finds the bird. I would not hold back a dog's training b/c it would bring a dog beyond the scope of a test.It would not be fair to the dog and holding back could risk that an ability be hindered. Use it or loose type of thing. Natural ability can never be covered up by training.Someone who knows what they are looking at will always know natural ability. So, be careful who you listen to.The NAVHDA judges I have found to be these "in the know" people. I particularly like Joe Doljesi(sp?)

"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle

TessaGA

Georgia

MH
Posts:2387

11/22/2008 11:03 AM
Thanks, Francine, for the advice on the NA test. I really liked the guy from NAVDHA, I emailed them and he called me back that night and we talked for a long time, although he knew I was not a hunter, he was not condescending at all. I am not sure I want to actually really hunt her, so I guess I am more interested in the training aspect, training and conditioning in line with what she was bred to do and loves to do, and get a title on her maybe. All depends on if I can find the right people to help us along.

To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7834

11/22/2008 11:20 AM
Tessa - Wish we were closer. I am doing the same thing with my crew. I have started Ringo on birds and just recently joined the GSP club in San Antonio. They have a large lease about an hour away and keep homing pidgeons on the property for training. There are also some coveys of quail there as well. We could learn together. I am not necessarily planning on hunting my dogs (although my nephew wants to bird hunt with them) either. I plan on doing hunt tests and walking field trials. Keep us posted on your progress and good luck finding some folks that you can work with. It was unbelieveable how much fun Ringo had when I ran him in the mock hunt test a couple of weeks ago. It is so addictive.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

snips

n.ga.

MH
Posts:413

12/29/2008 9:35 PM
Where are you located in Ga?

brenda

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